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US 12,050,036 B2Granted
System and method for cooling power electronics of refrigerant compressors
AssigneeDanfoss A/S
InventorsLin Xiang Sun, Tianlei Li, Brandon Keith Pritchard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to refrigerant compressors, and, in particular, relates to cooling for the power electronics of such compressors. An example refrigerant system includes a main refrigerant loop in communication with a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor. The refrigerant system further includes at least one cooling line configured to direct refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop to cool a chamber containing electronic components. A method is also disclosed.
Claims15
A refrigerant system, comprising:
- a main refrigerant loop in communication with a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor;
- and
- at least one cooling line configured to direct refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop to cool a chamber containing electronic components,
- wherein a soft start circuit is contained within the chamber,
- wherein insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) are also within the chamber,
- wherein the soft start circuit is arranged vertically above, relative to a ground surface or surface upon which the compressor sits, the IGBTs,
- wherein the at least one cooling line includes a first cooling line configured to direct refrigerant to cool the IGBTs and the SCR, and
- wherein a second cooling line is configured to selectively direct refrigerant to cool a motor of the compressor.
5 more elements
A refrigerant system, comprising:
- a main refrigerant loop in communication with a condenser, an evaporator, and a compressor;
- and
- at least one cooling line configured to direct refrigerant from the main refrigerant loop to cool a chamber containing electronic components,
- wherein a soft start circuit is contained within the chamber,
- wherein insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) are also within the chamber,
- wherein the soft start circuit is arranged vertically above, relative to a ground surface or surface upon which the compressor sits, the IGBTs,
- wherein the at least one cooling line includes a first cooling line configured to direct refrigerant to cool the IGBTs and the SCR, and
- wherein the first cooling line includes an electromechanically operated valve selectively opened in response to instructions from a controller, and an orifice downstream of the electromechanically operated valve and upstream of both the IGBTs and the SCR.
5 more elements
A method, comprising:
- directing refrigerant from a main refrigerant loop to cool a chamber of a refrigerant compressor, wherein the chamber contains electronic components including a soft start circuit configured to prevent a sudden current flow during the start of the refrigerant compressor,
- wherein insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) are also within the chamber,
- wherein the soft start circuit is arranged vertically above, relative to a ground surface or surface upon which the compressor sits, the IGBTs,
- wherein a first cooling line is configured to direct refrigerant to cool the IGBTs and the SCR, and
- wherein a second cooling line is configured to selectively direct refrigerant to cool a motor of the compressor.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.